Bruins' Zdeno Chara Notches 600th Career Point Tuesday

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara tallied an assist in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators, marking the 600th point of his career, per Sportsnet Stats.

Chara leads all active defensemen in scoring since he entered the league in 1997-98, with Chris Pronger (594)—who's technically still active—and Andrei Markov (572) sitting behind him on the scoring list. A substantial drop off occurs before reaching the next closest on the list, Duncan Keith (509).

At 40 years of age, Chara's career is likely nearing its end. That hasn't stopped him from being productive, collecting 25 points (8 goals, 17 assists) and posting a plus-19 rating over 69 games this season. He's totaled at least 20 points in every season—aside from the 2012-13 lockout-shortened campaign—dating back to 2001-02, his first year playing for the Ottawa Senators.

Chara has been a staple in the Bruins' lineup for the past 11 seasons, playing for only three different teams over the course of his 19-year career thus far.

The big man owns numerous accolades to his name, including six All-Star nominations and the 2008-09 James Norris Memorial Trophy—given to the top defenseman in the league. He was also a member of the 2011 Stanley Cup champion squad, notching nine points and a plus-16 rating during that postseason.

The Bruins are hanging on to playoff hopes for this season following Tuesday's victory. They currently sit three points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning and four ahead of the New York Islander and Carolina Hurricanes for the eighth and final spot in the playoffs. Should they secure that place, it would be the club's first postseason berth since 2013-14.